Review: The BeerPager Belcher Version

With the Super Bowl just a few days away, there's going to be a lot of hootin' and hollerin' in front of big screen TVs across the country. Naturally, it all depends on whether you're a Denver Broncos or Seattle Seahawks fan, or maybe you simply placed a few wagers. One thing's for sure, there's going to be a lot of food (BBQ, of course!) and alcohol consumption during the big game.

Recently, I had the chance to check out The BeerPager during some NFL playoff games the past several weeks. The BeerPager is basically a koozie on steroids -- it's a battery-powered, remote-controlled device attached to the bottom of a koozie. When you click on the mini remote, the BeerPager lights up and makes noises.

Hypothetically, if you're in a crowded party and you set your beer down somewhere with a bunch of other beer cans, you would have a tough time finding which one was yours. So that's where the BeerPager comes in. But you can also make the argument that some prankster would see your BeerPager and likely "do" something to your beer/beverage of choice.

With that being said, I'm not sure how often the BeerPager is used what it's originally intended for, but I think it's a cool gift for someone who loves their beer and/or beverage of choice. The different types of noises, or "beertones" is what sets these things apart. They've got a golfer version, biker version, even a Larry the Cable Guy version (or for kids, the Mater version from Disney Pixar's Cars).

My beverage of choice was some Buffalo Wing soda. Now, if this beverage doesn't stand out in a sea of drinks, I don't know what will. I'm sure you're curious about the Buffalo Wing soda. Let's just say it was insanely sweet sugar water with an overdose of hot sauce. So if you're a buffalo wing lover, give it a shot and knock yourself out... or give it to someone as a gag gift.

The only drawback with the BeerPager is that it requires 4 AAA batteries, which are not included. If you're remote trigger-happy and you constantly love hearing the belching/burping noises, the batteries can drain rather quickly. How about a AC-plug in rechargeable version of the BeerPager in the future? For those outdoor or sunny tailgating parties, perhaps a solar-powered BeerPager?

Dirty Smoke rating (3.5 out of 5 stars)
The BeerPager - Belcher Version
The BeerPager - Golfer Version
The BeerPager - Biker Version
The BeerPager - Larry the Cable Guy Version

Amazon Best Sellers: Top 10 BBQ Products (Jan '14)

If you're a frequent customer of Amazon.com, you've inevitably clicked on the "Best Sellers" link for a particular product category of interest to you. It's always interesting to see what other people are purchasing. Not only is it a good way to find out what the current "hot" products are, but there could be a great deal that everyone is jumping on.

Amazon doesn't have a top sellers section for just BBQ products. They are sprinkled about in the Patio, Home, and Garden / Grills & Outdoor Cooking section. You would have to keep looking through page after page to find what BBQ related product everyone is buying. Luckily for you, I compiled the top 10 and listed them all here.

Amazon Best Sellers: Top 10 BBQ Products (updated January 2014). I've purchased and own 6 of these products, so I'm definitely a contributor to this list! How many products from this list do YOU own?

1. Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter

2. Weber Premium Cover for Weber Genesis Gas Grills



3. Weber 12-inch 3-sided Grill Brush



4. Weber Small Aluminum Drip Pans



5. Ivation Long Range Wireless Probe BBQ Thermometer



6. Weber Firestarter Lighter Cubes (24-count)



7. Weber Apple Wood Chunks (3-lb)



8. Maverick Remote BBQ Smoker Thermometer



9. Bayou Classic Stainless Steel Marinade Injector



10. Weber Apple Wood Chips (3-lb)

Review: Mr Grill Heat Resistant Grill Gloves

I can't tell you how many times I've burned myself during grilling and smoking. Okay, maybe the word "burned" is a bit excessive. More like, slight singes. I've always relied on those giant BBQ mitts to keep my hands from any excessive heat. Truth be told, I hated those things. They were clunky, didn't provide much grip, and quickly wore out its "heat resistant" capabilities. I quickly banished my oven mitts to indoor oven, cookie-making status.

Recently I came across the Mr Grill Heat Resistant Grill Gloves and they definitely keep my hands and wrists singe-free. When I first put them on, I felt like climbing the walls like Spider-Man because the non slip silicone grips were so sticky. One box comes with 2 gloves (not just one like some other ones) and they fit really snug and tight--especially around the fingers. The gloves are "one size fits most," but I can see how someone with really fat sausage-sized fingers could have some trouble fitting these gloves.

Luckily, I don't have any fat sausage fingers (not yet, anyway), so I was able to use them several times to get a good feel for them. I didn't take any selfies with the actual hot charcoal and burning flames because I didn't want my phone to suffer any unfortunate mishaps, but I did take a few reenactment pictures. The gloves are perfect for when I'm handling the chimney starter and my Weber Smokey Mountain.

Those of you living in the East coast might be suffering from just a little bit of chilly weather right now, so these gloves might provide some warmth for the fingers. Living in Southern California, these gloves kept my hands warm in 40 degree weather at night (don't hate me). Recently, I had an itch to make some spare ribs at night. I found myself gnawing on some ribs for a late-night snack. Burnt free and singe free.

Dirty Smoke rating - 4.5 out of 5 stars 
Mr Grill Heat Resistant Grill Gloves do what they're supposed to do--keep your hands and fingers from burning while BBQ'ing. They are ultra snug around the fingers with a good grip. Max temperature is 450F and they are washing machine safe. Recommended -- check them out on Amazon.com.